Part II.
A Hectic Pace

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Commander Dekket Kaj and Dr. Mark Zimmerman stepped down from the transporters. The latter picked up a PADD with his room assignment from the ensign on duty, and with a quick nod in greeting, they were out the door.

Once inside his new quarters, Zimmerman took a deep breath. All mine, he thought with a grin. They put down the bags of equipment, and set the holoimager and camera on a table. He would have to key in the data later to allow his replicator to generate rolls of film and developer chemicals.

He was distracted by the commander, who moved to his side and took hold of the mobile emitter on his arm. "What are you doing?"

"Testing the room's holoemitters. Computer, transfer Doctor Zimmerman's program from the mobile emitter to the shipwide holographic system." He deactivated the device and removed it from the doctor's sleeve.

Zimmerman faded momentarily while the transfer took place. "Hm. Not bad."

"Does it feel any different?"

"Not at all." The doctor concealed the device, then they walked back out into the corridor.

"Once the fleet is under way, I'd like to arrange a meeting with the other CMO's regarding Delta Quadrant medicine."

"Doctor, I'm sure the commanding officers will want to meet and discuss the Delta Quadrant with you as well."

Zimmerman smiled. "I look forward to it."

Once back in the transporter room, Zimmerman and Kaj shook hands. They vowed to schedule a hoverball match once the fleet was under way. Then, the transporter was activated, and Commander Dekket Kaj was gone.

Satisfied, Zimmerman headed for the turbolift.

"Sickbay."

Lt. Kovala

Finally realizing that the CMO wasn't onboard yet, Lt. Kovala decided to report to the bridge and get her physical done later. She sighed and began her way down the hall. When she reached the turbolift, it opened and there was a somewhat ordinary looking balding human male, but he had very intense, intelligent brown eyes and a keen, gentle face. "Doctor?" Lt. Kovala asked.

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Dr. Zimmerman listened to the hum of the turbolift as he glanced at his arm, devoid of a mobile emitter. He had free, unhindered reign on this vessel. This was certainly a new beginning for him, and there was so much to pursue...

But business before pleasure. He had to visit Sickbay, settle into his new office. And by now the Head Nurse would be aboard; she would most likely be there as well. From there, perhaps a visit to the bridge to pay the captain his or their respects.

The turbolift opened on Deck 5, but as he stepped out, he was met by a waiting officer. The young woman was Klingon, but with a touch less harshness to her features; obviously she was only part Klingon.

The woman recognized his department and rank and correctly assumed: "Doctor?"

He smiled and nodded. "Lieutenant..." She appeared to have changed plans and joined him in his stroll to Sickbay. Still smiling, but looking ahead for the familiar door, he continued, "...How may I help you?"

Dr. Zimmerman entered Sickbay with Lt. Kovala. He looked around briefly. Even though its configuration was exactly that of Voyager's, it somehow seemed foreign and unfamiliar to him.

He walked left and into the office. Mark beheld a woman at his desk, busily keying in data. "Pardon me, Nurse..."

The woman looked up. Her green eyes initially betrayed a slight tension, which changed into relief upon recognition.

Zimmerman smiled, "would you please put Lieutenant Kovala here down on our schedule for a full physical at 1900 hours this evening?"

The nurse appeared slightly offguard and nodded.

The doctor turned to the chief engineer. "Thank you, Lieutenant. We'll see you then." Lt. Kovala thanked them back and left Sickbay.

Doctor and nurse both watched the Klingon woman leave. Finally, Zimmerman turned to his partner and smiled. "It's time we've been formally introduced. I'm Dr. Mark-"

=/\= Captain P'rrashta to all Deparrrtment heads, please rrreporrrt to the Obserrrvation Lounge in 30 minutes. That is all. P'rrashta out. =/\=

Mark looked up and sighed, a touch exasperated. She eyed him, her pupils dilated and a brow arched. His mannerism registered as familiar to her, he thought. He checked himself at once and resumed his smile. "Dr. Zimmerman."

"Nurse - Katherine - McCullan," she responded slowly and tentatively.

Mark shifted from one foot to the other uneasily. "It appears that we shall have to wait until after the meeting to get acquainted." McCullan nodded. "On my way back, I'll bring some equipment from my quarters - to be used during part of the crew's physicals. Is there anything of urgency that I need to bring to the Captain's attention?"

"Nothing Earth-shattering. " McCullan handed him a PADD.

"All right then. I suppose I'd best be going," he said, then turned and headed out of Sickbay.

"Computer: Deck Two."

Mark examined the PADD Nurse McCullan handed him. On it was a list of all department heads.

He raised an eyebrow. "A Romulan Chief of Security?" They certainly had an interesting crew complement, but this was particularly startling.

A name on the list caught his eye: Natalie Janeway. He looked up from the PADD a moment and thought back on the family he'd left behind, and wondered whether their Stellar Cartographer was any relation to the captain.

The turbolift doors opened. He had a new captain now.

As we walked towards the observation lounge, he read a brief report about the Nausicaan incident and details of the invader's injuries. Mark wondered whether they were entirely justified, or at the whim of their Security Chief; Romulans were notoriously temperamental.

The lounge doors parted. He lowered the PADD and stepped in.

Mark made a mental checklist of all those present whom he could recognize from the listing:

Lt Rapier was obvious; the Romulan settled into gazing into space over to one side of the window.

Lt. Julia Kerix - the first of three partial Trills to arrive - had just been escorted in by a human male, a Lieutenant (most likely Morale Officer Heidegger).

Two humans together: one had the rank of Commander (First Officer Mitchell), and with him a woman who he knew HAD to have been related to his former captain. The young Stellar Cartographer glowed with enthusiasm (or nerves), her blue eyes flashing just as her aunt's did. There was no mistaking a Janeway. It made Mark smile.

There were two loners other than himself: Lt. Kovala, whom he met earlier on Deck 5, and the Benzite OPs officer Lt. Raganzi. Both appeared on edge, one obviously intimidated by Rapier's presence. A natural aversion, he noted. Her restraint was commendable.

Feeling more outcast than he appeared, Mark thought he'd introduce himself to the Benzite, who was noticeably the most nervous person in the room (to him, anyway; his diagnostic subroutines enabled him to detect subtle changes in patient physiology from up to a short distance).

"Hello," he said.

Lt. Raganzi

Raganzi jumped a bit, startled. "Sorry," she said sheepishly to the newcomer, who was looking at her curiously. "I hadn't heard you coming. I'm Raganzi."

Tilting her head a bit to one side, she studied the balding man for any signs of disdain or amusement. To her surprise, he didn't appear to be that put off...he seemed to be observing her silently the way she was with him.

She hesitated for a moment, then stuck out her hand. **It's a human gesture anyway; he's not going to be offended,** she chided herself with a smile. "Nice to meet someone else on this ship," she said to him. The only crewmembers she'd come in contact with so far were the captain and first officer.

P'rrashta entered the Observation Lounge, and Raganzi quickly took the seat in front of her. She looked up at the human and gestured to the free seat on her right. All the chairs would be taken up pretty quickly.

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Dr. Zimmerman sensed Lt. Raganzi's relief for the distraction. However, the two had barely exchanged greetings when Captain P'rrashta made his appearance at last. They found seats near eachother for the meeting.

He watched the Caitian with interest. As with many species native to the Alpha Quadrant, he had never actually seen a Caitian before. The deep charcoal fur... the proud tail... the lean, agile, feline physique... those clear, golden eyes... Mark could not help but admire G'rranstle P'rrashta.

The officers observed the impromptu ceremony at hand. The whole proceeding fascinated him.

Capt. G'rranstle P'rrashta

"Good Evening, everrryone please have a seat," the Caitian Captian said,"I know we haven't all been intrrroduced as of yet. I am sorrrrrry forrr that. I was called away to the Starrrbase to talk with Admirrral Sulvac. I am Captian G'rranstle P'rrashta, Commanding Officerrr of the Plato. I was orrriginally the XO, but I have rrrecently been prrromoted. Now let's get down to business.

Lt. Commanderrr Janeway, I am glad you came since I have a prrroblem, but forrr furrrtherrr meetings when I call forrr Deparrrtment heads you will not be rrrequirrred to show up since Lt. Kerrrix is yourrr Chief."

"Now as most of you pobably just noticed that we have Lt. Commanderrr Janeway outrrranking herrr Chief. I cannot have that on my ship, it poses too many prrroblems. Lt. Kerrrix, please stand. I am frrrocking you forrr Lt. Commanderrr, that means you will unoficially have the title and prrrivelage of being a Lt. Commanderrr, but accorrrding to Starrrfleet books you arrre still a Lt. until it can be approved thrrrough prrroperrr channels."

*G'rranstle walks over and pins a hollow pip on Lt. Kerix's collar*

Lt. Cmdr Natalie Janeway

Natalie glanced around the room at all the officers gathered there. She noticed one in particular who had smiled at her. She nodded in response and smiled. She had her mother's smile and was often told she had the same determination her aunt kathryn did.

She sighed and gazed out the window at the stars. It seemed she had spent her whole starfleet career in space. She wondered if she'd ever get to meet her aunt whom her mother had told her so much about....after all, she had been born after Voyager was lost. It made her heart ache to think that she may never see her aunt.

Cmdr Maurice Mitchell

* As mitchell sees the events turned and admirably and finally meet the Captian of the ship..*

" Captian, I am Commander Maurice Mitchell, on behalf of myself and the crew, to meet you.

* smiles * *stands striaght*

Capt. G'rranstle P'rrashta

"It is good to meet you, Commanderrr, as well as the rrrest of my seniorrr staff. I am looking forrrwarrrd to worrrking with you all."

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Mark wondered why half the people in the room were not department heads, and went back to his PADD, taking notes and correcting rank listings. Perhaps it was more a welcoming reception, he thought...

...Or perhaps he had grown accustomed to Captain Janeway's comparatively rigid protocols. Being out in the Delta Quadrant and far from Federation Space, Janeway no doubt took it upon herself to overcompensate in order to ensure her crew never strayed from those ideals which brought them together in the first place.

He discretely switched the PADD mode to "tetris" while he waited for the din to subside and the Captain to continue with the meeting.

He could hear a barely perceptible chuckle from Lt. Raganzi as she observed his progress.

Lt. Kovala

Lt. Kovala took a deep breath to calm herself and tried to take her mind of the Romulan by listening to the captain's words. She had to admit the Captain P'rrashta had a soothing voice, the way his rr's rolls was almost like a purr. She already felt respect for him, and hoped she would be able to serve him well...but she was so nervous about that Romulan, and judging by the fact that he was at the meeting, it meant that he was the head of one of the departments. That made her all the more wary. She looked at him out of the corner of her eyes, but he looked so collected and unemotional. It angered her. She wanted to burst out with some Klingon challenge, but she held herself back and just continued to concentrate on the captain's speech.

Lt. Rapier

Lieutenant Rapier sat at the side of the table, listeing intently to the briefing, awaiting to Introduce himself to the rest of the crew. But while he was doing that, he could feel the eyes of somebody on him, and that person was a Klingon sitting far away from him.

After afew seconds of silence, Rapier stood up and bowed his head. "I am Lieutenant Rapier, Chief Security and Tactical Officer. Nice to meet you all" he said, taking the opportunity to look every officer in the eyes. He scanned the faces, looking around, and seeing the distrust in the eyes of the Chief Engineer, but everyone else seemed fine with his background, or so the thought...

(Quarters)
Lt. Cmdr Natalie Janeway

She couldn't figure out what was wrong with her...she felt depressed for some reason and just couldn't figure it out. She set her cup on the table and stared blankly out at the stars. It wasn't like her to feel this way. She was usually so strong.

She could feel herself getting lightheaded and went to tap her commbadge but decided not to bother anyone..it was probably nothing anyway.

(Sickbay)
Head Nurse Lt(jg) Kat McCullan

Kat watched the two other officers depart feeling rather bemused. First, the man who was obviously this mysterious CMO had waltzed in, started arranging appointments - without checking to make sure there were any prior appointments (admittedly there weren't any but it wouldn't have hurt to check…) - had begun to introduce himself and then waltzed right back out to go to a meeting. Doctors. Well, admittedly, he had been called to a staff meeting, but he could have finished the introduction first. First impressions last, and as first impressions went it was pretty brief - but what she did got was that he was efficient - or brusque, depending on the way you took it, and she was inclined to the latter - but seemed cheerful with a ready, if somewhat forced, smile and looked a bit uncomfortable - out of place, even. And she had the distinct feeling she'd seen him somewhere before. His mannerisms, the way he held himself… and the voice, too, was familiar in some way. He seemed concerned about that, actually, now she came to think of it. She wondered what he was hiding.

Damn. This was going to bug her all day now… or at least until Dr. Mark whatever his name was got back from the meeting. In the meantime, without even a standard personal profile to check - the fact he either didn't have one or it was a restricted access, something which just added to both her unease and curiosity - she'd just have to wait and see what her brain turned up. But when he did get back, she'd probably find out more - and be able to have a few words regarding some common scheduling practices.

(Observation Lounge)
Lt. Rapier

Rapier looked down at a PADD and began reading what was the Security Report.

"The Nausican intruder was apprehended, and has been transfered to the Security Authorities over on the Starbase. Whilst on my visit there, i took the liberty of transfering a full complement of Security teams and weapons to the Plato. On the Tactical point of view, All offensive and Defensive systems are operational"

Rapier looke dup form the PADD and waited the voice of another lonely soul in a crowd of strangers to speak...

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Upon completion of the Security Chief's report, Dr. Zimmerman looked around the table. Seeing how nobody appeared eager to speak out, he decided to do his part.

He stood. "Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Zimmerman," he nodded to his fellow officers. Some nodded back. "Reports indicate that the Nausicaan was properly treated of all wounds sustained in his apprehension.

"All personnel are required to undergo an initial physical prior to departure. That fifteen minute visit will save your life several times over during our mission, so the sooner you schedule with me the better. Either stop by Sickbay or contact Nurse McCullan to set one up.

"Mental health is just as important. Make an appointment to have an initial psyche evaluation with our counselor Lt. Angel Kerix," Zimmerman glanced in Lt. Angel's direction.

"If you or anyone in your department feels suddenly ill while at their post, particularly while we are traveling through an anomalous area of space, have them contact or go to Sickbay at immediately. They will not only be saving themselves, but the entire crew as well.

"Other than that, nothing out of the ordinary: Inventory checks out fine." He smiled. "I look forward to seeing you all in Sickbay. Thank you."

Mark sat down and waited for someone else to pick up the proverbial ball. He hoped this meeting would move along. He had barely touched base with McCullan, which he was uneasy about. Since they were expected to work closely together for the next few years, he wanted to establish a favorable rapport.

Lt. Cmdr Natalie Janeway

Natalie stops by sickbay after leaving her quarters and pokes her head into Zimmerman's office.

"I came to schedule my appointment for that routine physical. Im not one to put things like this off." Natalie said, standing in front of his desk.

OPs Lt. Raganzi

Raganzi looked up at Zimmerman, amused. **Guess he didn't get so engrossed in his Tetris that he wasn't paying attention. Can't say the same for myself." She smiled half-fondly at the memory of her Academy professor's ire at finding her lost in a few games tucked away in a datapadd.

She blinked in surprise when she became aware of the silence following Zimmerman's statement. **There I go again, drifting off...I really need some sleep.** Getting to her feet, she cleared her throat and spoke up.

"Everything looks to be in good order in my department. We now have full sensors, and all ships systems appear to be at peak efficiency. They're probably working as best as they ever will once we start on our mission."

She looked around the table at her fellow crew-members, trying to memorize their faces. "Some of the Operations staff is still filing in, but everyone but a few stragglers is onboard the Plato. We'll have everyone here by this evening." **I'll make sure of that,** Raganzi growled to herself. **I told Crewman Paloma to report in an hour ago and she still hasn't shown up. There's no excuse for that.**

Having said her piece and feeling rather self-conscious, Raganzi sat back down in her chair to listen to the rest of the meeting.

Capt. G'rranstle P'rrashta

G'rranstle heard the report's from the XO, Security Chief, Chief of OPs and the CMO's introduction.However he was a little annoyed about the extras that showed up when they were not supposed to.

"I am sorry to brrring this up, but it must be said. I have only asked forrr Deparrrtment heads and I see that the people beforrre me numberrr morrre than the people I asked forrr. I should only see Commanderrr Mitchell, Doctorrr Zimmerrrman, Lt. Commanderrr Kerrrix, Lt. Kovala, Lt. Rrrapierrr, Lt.(jg) Rrragnazi, and Lt. Heideggerrr. I am a little annoyed to the fact that some of my officerrrs cannot follow simple instrrructions and this is the firrrst day! NOw if all non-deparrrtment heads would plese leave the rrroom, I would like to continue this meeting!" the Caitian growled.

Lt. Heidegger

Lt. Heidegger decided to say something. "Captain, if I may say so, it it our first day here together and the crew is exited and nervous. This was just a little mishap, it won´t happen again, I am sure". The Captain seemed to be more relaxed again and continued his speech.

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

=/\= Sickbay to Doctor. =/\=

The comm system startled Zimmerman, who looked up and around the table. He tapped his combadge. "Dr. Zimmerman here."

"We have a medical emergency in Sickbay."

He quickly turned to Captain P'rrashta, who nodded his approval. "On my way." Tapping his combadge, he closed the channel. Zimmerman quickly got up from his chair, took his PADD, and excused himself from the observation lounge.

Counselor Angel Kerix

Angel left the room feeling a bit sheepish. Ah well, it would give her some time with her daughter. She walked into her room. Just as she had expected, the place looked like a massive tornado had hit it. Letta was curled up on the floor looking as innocent as could be. Angel chuckled softly, tucked Letta into bed, and cleaned up the room. When she was finished she went and sat on the bed stroking Letta's hair. She was so much like her father. Her skin was the color of toffee, with raven black hair and oriental features. @The only thing she has of me is her trill spots and those bright green eyes. Too bad she'll never know her father.@ Angel smiled a small sad smile and laid down nest to her daughter with her arm around the small child. She would report in with the good doctor when she woke up.

Dr. Mark Zimmerman
Nurse McCullan
Lt. Cmdr. Natalie Janeway

Zimmerman rushed through the Sickbay doors, concern etched on his face. "What is the nature of the medical emergency?"

At that same moment, he found Nurse McCullan bending over a biobed, occupied by one Natalie Janeway.

The nurse abruptly snapped her head up at the doctor's statement, and stared right into his face (He raised an eyebrow slightly in response). Still locked into a stare, she passed the PADD over to him. "I was setting up a physical for Lt. Cmdr. Janeway, when she fainted."

Janeway was noticeably dazed while the doctor checked under her eyelids for reflexes. Unbeknownst to McCullan, his contact with the patient's skin reported her body temperature to be slightly elevated.

He looked at the PADD of test results a moment, then the LCARS display above Janeway's head. He straightened up.

Natalie whispered in a groggy voice: "Is it serious?"

The doctor smiled down at her. "I don't think so. Nurse? One tuna salad sandwich for our patient."

Janeway tilted her head as the nurse smiled and went to the food replicator.

"There was a severe drop in your blood sugar levels. When was the last time you had anything to eat?"

"This morning," she whispered sheepishly, "I only had time for a cup of vegetable boullion."

Just like her aunt, he sighed as he prepared a hypospray of nutritional supplements and Insulene. He gently administerd it to the side of her throat, just in time to see the Nurse return with a tray. The medication took effect quickly, and he gently assisted Janeway into a sitting position. She accepted the tray and thanked them.

Zimmerman smiled to Nurse McCullan. "After her meal, when the Lieutenant Commander feels well enough to do so, she may leave."

"Yes, Doctor," McCullan smiled back, but her gaze was still intense.

"Now, if you will excuse me, I'm due back at the meeting." he bowed slightly, turned, then headed out the door.

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Damn. Was it by force of habit or programmed imperative? Why did he say that phrase? Nurse McCullan recognized him for an EMH right then and there.

Dr. Zimmerman paced uneasily in the corridor, waiting for the turbolift to arrive.

It was inevitable. Someone within the medical profession was bound to have worked with an Emergency Medical Hologram somewhere during their career. It simply wasn't realistic to conceal his true nature to his own nurse.

The turbolift doors opened up on Deck 2, and he left his ponderings to focus on the task at hand. In moments, he was back in the observation lounge, and efficiently resumed his seat beside Lt. Raganzi.

Lt. Cmdr Natalie Janeway

Natalie smiled and ate the sandwich the Nurse had brought for her. She hadn't meant not to have eaten in so long but she had just gotten caught up in her work in Stellar Cartography that she had just forgotten.

When she had finished she smiled at the Nurse and set the tray onto the cart next to her biobed and looked at the Nurse.

"Feeling any better Ms. Janeway?" McCullan said to her smiling. Natalie placed a hand on her forhead and took a deep breath. The Nurse just shook her head and repeated the question, "Ms. Janeway??"

Natalie snapped out of it and looked at the Nurse, taking her hand down. "Oh, I...I think so."

McCullan shook her head and replied, "No, I think you should stay here for a few more hours and rest."

Natalie sighed and looked back at her,head tilted a bit, "Alright...maybe you're right. I do still feel a bit lightheaded." Nurse McCullan helped her lay back down and then headed into the office to enter the data into the Lt.Commander's medical file.

After a few hours, the Nurse came back over to her and smiled, "Now, how are we feeling?"

Natalie smiled at her, "Much better...thanks."

McCullan looked at her, "Alright, you may leave..but take it easy and make sure you eat regurarly." Natalie nodded and smiled.

"I will..thank you." She replied, turned, and walked out of sickbay and back to Stellar Cartography.

Cmdr Maurice Mitchell

* Commander Mitchell and Captian P'rrasha stands with the senior staff waiting for the briefing *

Commander Mitchell : Captian, what are our orders from Starfleet Command ?

Lt. Heidegger

"I am all ears" Heidegger thought to himself.He also noticed Lt.Kovala watching him in a strange way. Oh yes, Klingons! He had met some of them before and he didn´t like them really. He admired their proud history, yes, but he didn´t like their clumsy social behaviour. At least that was his personal opinion. But he told himself not to be prejudiced. He would get to know her soon enough...

He paid attention to the Captain again.

Capt. G'rranstle P'rrashta

Calming himself downs little, the Captian answerrrs his firrrst officerrrs question.

"We have not been given any orrrderrrs. I am still waiting." Grranstle then turns to the other officers,"In the meantime why don't all of you take charrrge of yourrr deparrrtments and get them squarrred away. You arrre all dismissed."

The officers start to file out of the room, "Commanderrr Mitchell, please rrremain."

The Commander stays while all of the other officers have left.

"I would like to inforrrm you beforrrehand that I am going to be rrrunning a tight ship, prrrofessionalim is what I am going to expect frrrom all of my crrrewmwbers and especially my officerrrs. I am a sticklerrr forrr prrrotical and trrraditions. I also haven't had time to rrread yourrr rrrecorrrd since when I left the ship I didn't have an XO yet, so tell me if you would a little about yourrrself."

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

"You arrre all dismissed."

Mark stood up from his seat and nodded at Lt. j.g. Raganzi with a smile. He himself had some catching up to do since his reliance on a 2371 medical database for almost seven years; he had no idea Benzites found a means to survive without their inhalers. Perhaps later this evening, once the majority of the crew had retired, he would discretely incorporate parts of the Plato's medical database into his matrix...

...He shared the turbolift with Lts. Kovala and Angel Kerix. The latter proposed they touch base in the morning if duties didn't interfere. She mentioned having a little girl on board with her. Indeed he would include additional time for the two to have their physicals together when the time came.

Mark entered his quarters and removed some items from their bags. When he had some free time, he would decide where to set up a small darkroom. Personally, the bathroom would have been ideal, since he had no real use for it. But he had to take into account any guests he might invite.

The doctor brought out a tripod, picked up his holoimager from the table, then headed back out and up to Sickbay.

Halfway down the corridor towards the turbolift, Dr. Zimmerman stopped.

Since his program had been activated in the Alpha Quadrant, there was no respite: Ferengi attack, Starbase free-for-all, staff meeting, medical emergency... for all he knew, there would be yet another distraction preventing him to exchange barely more than a glance with his head nurse before they got down to the business of preflight physicals.

He promptly returned to his quarters.

"Computer, open a communications link to the Jupiter Station." There was a chirp of acknowledgement as Mark sat himself down before his personal console. He was met by the visage of a young, wholesome woman, with short blonde hair and a passive smile.

"Haley," he beamed. "it's good to see you again."

She grinned with recognition. "We're glad you made it. Lewis has been checking with Starfleet Intelligence all day for any news from Admiral Sulvac..."

"Admiral now is it?"

"Just this afternoon."

"Well then. I shall have to pay my respects to the Admiral at some point and thank him for this commission."

There was a voice similar to his own offscreen, and Haley turned in that direction. "It's for you," she said, then she turned back to face him with a twinkle in her eye, "Good luck, Doctor. And keep in touch."

"Thank you, Haley. I'll make it a point."

Mark sat back in his chair and watched Dr. Lewis Zimmerman take over from his assistant.

"Well," he said, "it's about time you called."

"This is the first moment I've had since I've been activated."

"I'll bet."

"Our runabout was attacked on the way to the starbase. Things haven't let up since. I've barely seen Sickbay."

"Did you get anything at the starbase?"

Mark straightened in his seat somewhat nervously. "I did. Thank you."

Lewis eyed him. "Should I be concerned?"

"I didn't overdo it. That is, I don't think so." He felt like a kid being scrutinized by a parent.

"Don't worry about it," Lewis smiled mischieviously.

Dr. Z likes to put people on the spot, thought Mark. But he had a return volley to deliver. "I... I have a name now."

Lewis' eyes widened. "Yeah?" Mark nodded. "Are you going to tell me what it is?"

Mark looked down. "Mark Zimmerman." When he looked back up, the man's smile on the monitor had grown uncharacteristically soft.

"Mark for Mark-I?"

Mark shrugged shyly. "That, and it sounded good."

"I see. Wow." Lewis rubbed his forehead for a moment. "Do you... do you want me to tell your counterpart this news... during the next datastream?" There was a slight instability in his voice.

"No need, sir. Just that I made it okay and thank you. Tell him...," he sighed, "...tell him I miss everybody."

For a long minute, they stared at eachother. Creation and creator. Identical in likeness save the years and bout with illness which caught up with the latter.

"I'll do my best to keep in touch, Doctor," Mark looked down again. "You're the only family I have now."

"Thanks, Mark," Lewis managed to whisper, then sighed. "You'd better get back to work."

Mark nodded and matched Lewis' smile before terminating the link. Then, he put his head down on the desk.

Head Nurse Lt(jg) Kat McCullan

Hmmph. In and out again like some sort of whirlwind with barely a 'hello', only confirming her prior impressions. All concern for the patient, but he still seemed very uneasy around her. And she was starting to get a feeling as to why. "What is the nature of the medical emergency?" he'd said - for some reason it rang another bell in her head. But where from?

Janeway was gone now, leaving her alone in Sickbay. Again. They were understaffed - there was no denying that. Usually at this time of day there'd be at least another nurse on duty in the absence of a doctor... Well, there was no using fuming over that anymore - she wasn't getting any more staff and that was that. Maybe the two were connected. They probably had to be. She finished straightening up and returned to the sickbay office and turned on the computer, then sat staring at it blankly, drumming her fingers on the desk. Ok, so say they were connected...

What did that mean? Well, the lack of staff would have to mean that this Mark guy had to be able to fill the shoes of at least one other doctor and two nurses, so he'd have to be incredibly competant and able to multitask in extreme situations with minimal or no assistance. He wouldn't have to mind being called out of bed at all kinds of hours and couldn't tire easily... or not at all. She blinked as a possible answer presented itself.

"No way..." she said aloud softly, leaning forward towards the console. It couldn't be, could it? No... But all the facts fit - the lack of a background, the secrecy, the staffing levels... An experimental program? He... or it didn't look like either of the two EMH's she'd worked with. And the first and second generations of the program had been more or less phazed out and programmed for other duties - she'd read that somewhere. She drummed her fingers again on the desk and then made up her mind.

"Computer, display all information on the Emergency Medical Holographic Program."

The screen in front of her burst into life with a profile of the ship's standard EMH - female, not that bad looking. Not the information she wanted however, but there was a link to the program's creator, one Dr. Lewis Zimmerman. Now, that was a name she recognized. Holography had been something of an interest of hers, and it was hard to avoid mentions of his work - he'd more or less written the book. And his current photo looked suspiciously like an older version of her new CMO - and Zimmerman, according to his profile, had no children. Curiouser and curiouser. And following further links, she discovered that he'd based the prototype EMH program on... himself. The EMH Mark one was called up onto the display - and it was him down to a tee. From the top of his balding head down to the tips of his boots, there was no question about it - the ship's chief medical officer and her direct superior was a hologram. A hologram. And a rather irritable one, if what her memory was throwing up at her was true. What did they used to call them? Emergency Medical Hotheads. Easily or extremely marginal somethings. No wonder they'd been re-assigned. But even as she thought of that, her brain threw up something new - he hadn't been that bad with Janeway, actually, not that bad at all, especially considering what the prototype's reputation was. He'd been polite to the patient, if not to her...

Maybe it was and experiment of some kind. Maybe they were looking at re-programming the rest of the mark-ones and putting them back into service. It did seem like something of a waste of the ones and twos to put them into positions where they were menial labourers, but on the other hand it did free up more people to do more important tasks. ~ A hologram. I've been assigned to a hologram.~

"A hologram," she repeated out loud and suddenly found herself seized by the absurdity of the situation. Kat sighed and shook her head in disbelief, caught somewhere between anger and laughter, leaning back in the chair just as the doors opened and the subject of her research walked in, camera and tripod in tow.